"The Fourth Prince Consort is right, we absolutely cannot let this servant get up again!"
"Perhaps the Fourth Prince Consort stepped on her somewhere, which is why she's in so much pain she can't struggle."
"Speaking of which, we should thank the Fourth Prince Consort for today's events."
Zuo Xiuhua saw everyone in the room siding with Ji Zizhao, which made her chest ache with anger. She gritted her teeth and added, "This servant dared to commit assault in broad daylight against the Eighth Prince Consort, it's simply audacious. If such a servant is not properly interrogated, who knows what further chaos might ensue!"
Xing Jiuchou let out a surprised "Oh," and looked curiously at Zuo Xiuhua, "Fifth Sister-in-law, you clearly came with us, so why are you so certain this servant was attacking Eighth Sister-in-law?"
Zuo Xiuhua's expression stiffened, and she finally spoke, "Didn't Seventh Sister-in-law see how disheveled Eighth Sister-in-law is? Is such an obvious display still in need of proof?"
Xu Meiqing, however, said, "Today is hosted by Eighth Sister-in-law. Logically, no matter what this servant intended to do, it has disturbed the other guests, especially Fourth Sister-in-law who experienced it firsthand. Now, Eighth Sister-in-law hasn't offered an apology, yet Fifth Sister-in-law is here incessantly questioning her. Is this Eighth Sister-in-law's way of hosting guests, or does Fifth Sister-in-law feel this is a more reasonable approach to hospitality?"
These words directly encompassed both Zuo Xiuhua and the Eighth Prince Consort.
One slap for each, no one could escape.
Zuo Xiuhua hadn't expected Xing Jiuchou and Xu Meiqing to be so difficult to deal with, and her heart ached even more.
Just then, Madam Wei and Wei Hongzhao entered. Seeing the scene, Madam Wei hurried to her daughter's side, examining her, "What on earth happened? What occurred?"
The Eighth Prince Consort trembled upon hearing her mother's question and instinctively looked at Zuo Xiuhua not far away. Seeing Zuo Xiuhua nod slightly, she tremblingly began to speak, "When I let this servant in, it was because she said she was acquainted with Fourth Sister-in-law. I intended to do Fourth Sister-in-law a favor, but I never expected..."
Everyone gasped at these words.
Ji Zizhao, on the other hand, couldn't help but laugh.
She had initially thought that the Eighth Prince and the Fifth Prince had been secretly plotting for so long, intending to use someone with a Tiger Head Banner to kill her, and then frame her and Xie Jinglan for colluding with Xi Rong. When that plan fell through, Xi Rong wanted to silence witnesses. She hadn't expected that after all this detouring, they were waiting for her here.
She truly hadn't anticipated that those two hidden rats, afraid to attack her directly, would arrange for someone to attack the Eighth Prince Consort and then turn around to smear her name.
Ultimately, she had overestimated the intelligence of the Fifth Prince and the courage of the Eighth Prince.
"Fourth Prince Consort, what exactly is going on?" Madam Wei, who was easily swayed, had also known about this maid's entry. She had been curious why her daughter had suddenly found a new maid, only to realize she was trying to curry favor with the Fourth Prince Consort.
"This servant claimed to know me, so she knows me? If the Eighth Prince Consort wanted to do me a favor, she should have at least sent someone to ask me. Keeping someone with such unclear connections, and keeping her close by for personal use in her own courtyard, are the Wei family members all this naive?" Ji Zizhao's smile remained, and though her words were directed at Madam Wei, her eyes never left the Eighth Prince Consort.
The Eighth Prince Consort was already guilty, and now that everything had deviated from the original plan, seeing Ji Zizhao look at her, she trembled even more violently.
Madam Wei was already distressed to see her daughter injured. Now, seeing her daughter so timid, she assumed Ji Zizhao had frightened her and blurted out, "My daughter has a simple nature. If this servant hadn't claimed to know the Fourth Prince Consort herself, how could my daughter have easily allowed someone into the residence?"
"When I first met Eighth Sister-in-law, I indeed felt she was exceptionally simple. However, it's understandable given her youth and inexperience. But I didn't expect Madam Wei, at her age, to also be so inept. Simplicity is only admirable when used well; otherwise, it's simply foolishness."
These words directly insulted the entire Wei family.
Madam Wei's vision darkened with anger. If not for a strong will, she might have fainted on the spot. "My daughter originally had good intentions. It's one thing if the Fourth Prince Consort doesn't appreciate it, but now she's being so unreasonable! Is it because she has the Empress Dowager's backing that she's so arrogant and dismissive of everyone!"
She still wanted to drag the Empress Dowager into this?
Ji Zizhao wouldn't give her that opportunity. "When encountering those who rely on their age and seniority, one should indeed be a bit unreasonable."
Madam Wei: "..."
She wished she could personally rush over and shut that mouth!
Wei Hongzhao, standing by, was relieved to see his daughter unharmed.
However, facing the confrontation between his wife and the Fourth Prince Consort, he had no intention of intervening.
Today's events were peculiar, and the Fourth Prince Consort had the Empress Dowager behind her. If women bickered, it wouldn't cause any lasting damage. But if he got involved, the matter would become complicated, and a single wrong word could offend the Empress Dowager.
Ji Zizhao hadn't expected Wei Hongzhao to remain silent.
She had initially assumed that since the Eighth Prince Consort had gone this far, she must have colluded with the Wei family. But observing Wei Hongzhao's reaction now, it seemed he was unaware of this matter.
Zuo Xiuhua watched Ji Zizhao, who sat motionlessly, and clutched her handkerchief, repeatedly giving the Eighth Prince Consort meaningful glances. They had prepared for this scene for a long time, and now, seeing the situation develop in a direction she had never predicted, how could she not be anxious?
Unfortunately, the Eighth Prince Consort had been so terrified by Ji Zizhao's demeanor that even her mother, who was usually the most eloquent, had been defeated by Ji Zizhao. How could she dare to speak?
Zuo Xiuhua inwardly cursed her as useless and had no choice but to speak herself, "This occurred suddenly, and it's understandable for Fourth Sister-in-law to be upset. However, since the incident has happened, no one should act impulsively. Dealing with the matter at hand is what's important."
Ji Zizhao smiled at these words. "Listening to your tone, Fifth Sister-in-law, you seem to be defending Eighth Sister-in-law. But if you were truly concerned, wouldn't it be more logical to first find a physician to examine Eighth Sister-in-law's condition? Yet, judging by your demeanor, you seem more intent on uncovering the truth than anyone else. This contradiction is truly puzzling."
Zuo Xiuhua knew Ji Zizhao would never say anything pleasant, but when Ji Zizhao actually spoke, she clearly couldn't bear it and was even struggling to breathe evenly.
The others present, witnessing this situation, looked at Ji Zizhao with expressions as if they had seen a ghost in broad daylight.
First, the Eighth Prince Consort, then Madam Wei, and now the Fifth Prince Consort as well...
The Fourth Prince Consort was truly a force to be reckoned with, invincible!
Was she not going to be unstoppable at this rate...